“Nobody passed me. You are sure he is on board?”

“He was a minute ago.”

And, as briefly as possible, Bob related what had occurred.

“He must be a desperate fellow,” said the train-hand, with a shake of his head.

“He is, and I want to catch him the worst way.”

“Humph! Well, let us take a look with the lantern. We don’t want any such fellows on this train.”

The man got his lantern from the caboose, and the two began a rapid search around each car.

“He might have dropped down on one of the platforms and swung himself into one of the empty cars,” suggested the train-hand. “Or he might have jumped off.”

“I don’t think he jumped off,” replied Bob. “Let us look into those cars just ahead.”

The train-hand went ahead, and not without difficulty swung himself into one of the empty cars.